IT was the moment the world had waited for and Prince William and his wife Kate did not disappoint as they emerged from their central London hospital to show off their son and the future king.
Barely a day old, the son of Prince William and wife Kate was shown to the world from the steps of St Mary's hospital in London about 7.15pm local time (4.15am AEST).
The parents could not contain their joy as they broke from protocol and walked out of the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital and to the bank of world press, that had gathered there for more than three weeks, to chat and joke about their new addition.
Kate, wearing a blue Jenny Packham dress, was holding the boy first before passing him to her husband.
“He’s a big boy, quite heavy, we’re still working on a name so we will have that as soon as we can,” William gushed as at least a thousand spectators cheered wildly from behind a police cordon.
When asked about his experiences so far William said “well he had a good pair of lungs on him that’s for sure.”
The prince confirmed the bub was overdue and quipped “I will remind him of his tardiness when he is older.”
Kate, cradling Prince Cambridge, said it had been an experience.
“It’s been very emotional, it’s such a special time any parent will know what this feeling is like.” William agreed and added “it’s very special”.
Staring down at his baby boy, William later said “he’s got her looks thankfully” to which Kate replied “no, no I’m not sure about that”.
Prince William then joked about his own hair loss saying “he’s got way more than me thank God.”
The unnamed baby raised a tiny hand above his white blankets.
William said The couple were "still working on a name", he added.
After speaking briefly to the press, William and Kate returned to the hospital before re-emerging minutes later with their son in a car seat.
William secured the seat in the back of a black Range Rover parked outside the hospital, before driving his family back to their home at Kensington Palace.
Kate's sister Pippa was reportedly waiting for them at the palace.
The young family's first public appearance together has been the moment that the world's media and crowds of onlookers camped outside the hospital had long been waiting for, and the photographs snapped today are likely to be reprinted for decades as the baby grows into adulthood and his role as a future king.
The appearance recalls a similar appearance three decades ago, when Princess Diana and Prince Charles carried the newborn William out to pose for photographs on the same steps in 1982.
Earlier, Prince Charles and Camilla came to visit their grandson at 5.30 pm local time. Dozens or hospital staff were brought out the front of the Lindo Wing moments before he arrived in a Jaguar.
The first in line to the throne had said earlier he couldn't wait to meet the third in line to the throne. "Have you had a long wait?," he asked hospital staff and media standing by the entrance.
Their arrival was met with euphoric rock-star screams from onlookers. Charles and Camilla were clearly delighted at being able to visit their grandchild and the reception they received as they smiled broadly and waved to the crowd.
The royal baby was earlier visited by Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, who described him as "absolutely beautiful."
"They are both doing really well and we are so thrilled," Carole Middleton said after spending time with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their child at St Mary's Hospital in central London.
Asked if she had suggested a name for the baby, she replied: "Absolutely not!"
Kensington Palace said Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, gave birth to the 8 pound, 6 ounce (3.8 kilogram) baby boy at 4.24pm. Monday, triggering an impromptu party outside Buckingham Palace and in front of the hospital's private Lindo Wing.
The palace said on Tuesday that "mother, son and father are all doing well this morning".
As celebratory lights, gun salutes and other tributes were unleashed in Britain and abroad, William thanked staff at St Mary's Hospital "for the tremendous care the three of us have received".
"We know it has been a very busy period for the hospital and we would like to thank everyone - staff, patients and visitors - for their understanding during this time," he said in a statement.
